FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 


REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


& 


t 


member 


ri 


e; 


Remember 


OR, 


i)e  noltj  liommumon. 


By 

Rat  Palmer. 


Boston: 

THE    AMERICAN     TRACT    SOCI] 

Depositories,  28  Cornhill,  Boston  ;  and  13  Biblb  House, 
Astor  Place,  New  York. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1865,  by 

The   American  Tract  Society, 

In  the  Clerk's  Ofnce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


Geo.  C.  Rand  &  Avery, 
Stereotypers  and  Printers,  3  Cornhill,  Boston. 


TO     THE 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  CHURCH  TO  WHICH  HE  MINISTERS, 


ESPECIALLY    TO 


ft  be  Jloungcr  <Jlcmbers, 


In  whose  ONION  to  Christ  he  greatly  rejoices,  and  for  whose  Chris- 
tian  GROWTH    AND   COMFORT    HE    HABITUALLY    PRAYS, 

THIS    LITTLE   VOLUME    IS   INSCRIBED 
BY    THEIR    AFFECTIONATE    FRIEND    AND    PASTOR, 

RAY   PALMER. 


II 


REFA'CE. 


To  young  disciples,  it  is  a  question  of  deep  and 
serious  interest  with  what  specific  thoughts  and 
spiritual  affections  the  table  of  the  Lord  should  be 
approached.  In  the  case  of  older  Christians,  like- 
wise, great  care  should  be  taken  that  the  inward 
exercises  connected  with  the  occasion  should  be 
such  as  are  demanded  by  the  nature  and  design  of 
this  most  precious  ordinance.  To  both  classes  it 
is  hoped  that  this  little  volume  may  be  useful. 

It  will  be  seen  that  these  pages  are  intended  to 
speak  directly  to  the  Jicart.  It  is  sought  to  bring 
the  great  facts  pertaining  to  Christ's  work  of  re- 
deeming by  his  death,  which  are  set  forth  in  the 
ordinance  of  the  Holy  Supper,  into  immediate  con- 
tact with  the  religious  sensibilities. 


Preface. 


The  plan  of  the  volume  will  explain  itself.  Prose 
and  poetry  are  intermingled,  for  the  sake  of  vari- 
ety, and  as  speaking  to  the  heart  in  different  ways. 
The  poetical  pieces,  most  of  them,  have  been  writ- 
ten for  the  place  they  occupy.  The  hymns,  "Jesus, 
these  eyes  have  never  seen,"  "  O  Bread  to  pilgrims 
given ! "  and  "Jesus,  thou  Joy  of  loving  hearts," 
were  contributed  to  the  Sabbath  Hymn  Book,  to 
the  proprietors  of  which  they  now  belong.  They 
are  used  here  by  permission.  "  My  faith  looks  up 
to  thee,"  although  so  familiar,  is  inserted  at  the 
end,  because  it  seemed  to  form  so  fitting  a  conclu- 
sion to  the  book. 

R.  P. 


SJft&iBftS. 


INVOCATION 9 

TEXTS  ON   THE   INSTITUTION  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER    .  10 

DESIGN   OF  THE  ORDINANCE 12 

QUESTIONS   FOR  SELF-EXAMINATION 15 

HYMN:    CHRIST   LOVED   UNSEEN iS 

FIRST   MEDITATION:    ANTICIPATION.  — Monday  Evening  21 

SONNET:  THE  ANOINTING 26 

STANZAS:   "I  SAW  THEE" 27 

ID    MEDITATION:   THE   PASSOVER.  — Tuesday  Evening  29 

SONNET:   THE   ALARM 36 

HYMN:   SELF-DEVOTION 37 

THIRD  MEDITATION:  THE  UNMASKING.— Wednesday  Evening  39 

SONNET:    THE   DEPARTURE 45 

STANZAS:    SELF-SEARCHING 46 

FOURTH  MEDITATION:  THE  HOLY  SUPPER.—  Thursday  Evkn'g  49 

SONNET:  THE   INSTITUTION 56 

SA<  RAMENTAL   HYMN 57 

FIFTH   MEDITATION:   PARTING  WORDS  — Friday  Evenin 


Contexts. 


SONNET:    THE   HOLY   BOND 66 

STANZAS:   THE  UNITY  OF   LOVE 67 

SIXTH  MEDITATION:    GETHSEMANE.  —  Saturday  Evening  .  69 

SONNET:   GETHSEMANE        .                          76 

STANZAS:    "IN  THE   GARDEN  WITH   HIM"                                  .  77 

SEVENTH   MEDITATION:    CALVARY  — Sabbath  Morning        .  79 

SONNET:   THE   SACRIFICE 86 

STANZAS:  VIA  DOLOROSA .87 

AT   THE   TABLE 89 

AFTER   THE   SACRAMENT.  —  Sabbath  Evening      ....  96 

HYMN:    DELIGHT   IN   CHRIST 99 

HYMN:    FAITH .        .  101 


REMEMBER     ME 


INVOCATION. 


LESSED  Lord  Jesus!  I  recognize 
the  sacrament  of  the  Holy  Supper 
as  instituted  by  thee  for  the  re- 
freshment and  comfort  of  truly  renewed  and 
believing  souls,  and  as  designed  to  be  a  per- 
petual ordinance  in  thy  visible  Church.  I 
would  be  prepared  to  keep  this  sacred  feast 
in  obedience  to  thy  command.  May  the 
Holy  Spirit  graciously  assist  and  guide  me ! 
Amen. 


io  Remember  Me. 


THE    INSTITUTION. 


Matt.  26 :  26-30. 

ESUS  took  bread,  and  blessed  it,  and 
brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  the  disciples, 
and  said,  Take,  eat ;  this  is  my  body. 
And  he  took  the  cup,  and  gave 
thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying,  Drink 
ye  all  of  it ;  for  this  is  my  blood  of  the  new 
testament,  which  is  shed  for  many  for  the 
remission  of  sins.  But  I  say  unto  you,  I  will 
not  drink  henceforth  of  this  fruit  of  the  vine, 
until  that  day  when  I  drink  it  new  with  you 
in  my  Father's  kingdom. 

And,  when  they  had  sung  a  hymn,  they 
went  out  into  the  Mount  of  Olives. 


The  Institution.  ii 

-# 

i  C&v  ii  : 23-25. 

For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which 
also  I  delivered  unto  you,  That  the  Lord 
Jesus,  the  same  night  in  which  he  was  be- 
trayed, took  bread :  and,  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said,  Take,  eat ;  this 
is  my  body,  which  is  broken  for  you  :  this  do 
in  remembrance  of  me.  After  the  same 
manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had 
supped,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new  testa- 
ment in  my  blood :  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye 
drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me. 


12  Remember  Me. 


DESIGN   OF   THE   ORDINANCE. 


HE  sacrament  of  the  Holy  Supper 
was  plainly  instituted  for  Christ's  dis- 
ciples. None  else  could  possibly  en- 
ter into  the  spirit  of  the  observance. 
Only  love  can  find  pleasure  in  communion 
For  whom  with  Christ,  and  in  dwelling  with 
deliberate  and  protracted  medita- 
tion on  the  scenes  connected  with  his  suffer- 
a  mark  of  mSs  anc^  death.  It  was  meant  to 
disciple-     be  a  distinguishing  ordinance,  sepa- 

ship. 

rating  those  who  should  observe  it 
from  the  irreligious  world,  and  marking  them 
as  avowed  followers  of  Jesus. 


Design  of  the  Ordinance.  13 

2.  It  was  further  intended  to  be  at  once 
the  symbol  of  a  truth,  and  the  seal  or  con- 
firmation of  a  covenant.  By  its  ob-  intended 
servance,  the  great  essential  truth  bol  and  a 
of  the  Christian  atonement  was  to 

be  visibly  acknowledged  and  kept  fresh  in 
the  heart  of  the  Church,  and  to  be  set  forth 
in  the  sight  of  all  the  world.  By  receiving 
it,  each  believer  most  solemnly  covenants 
with  his  Lord  to  love  and  serve  him,  and 
renews  the  pledge  as  often  as  he  repeats  his 
attendance  at  the  table. 

3.  The  Holy  Supper  was  also  designed 
to  convey  to  each  participant  who    To  convey 

.         1  i      •    1     1  •  t    •  divine  life 

should  rightly  receive  it  divine  nour- 

o        J  and   com- 

ishment,  spiritual  life  and  health  and    ,brt- 
joy,  the  quickening  of  right  desires,  and  the 
confirming  of  the  purpose  of  faithful  Chris- 
tian   living.     Tli is   through   the    inward   ap- 


14  .         Remember  Me. 

prehension  of  Christ,  and  the  appropriation 
of  his  grace  by  faith. 

4.  Finally,  Christ  wished,  by  the  sacrament 

ecure  °f  the  Supper,  to  unite  those  who 

f  loved  him  into  an  intimate  fellow- 

believers. 

ship,  or  brotherhood,  cemented  by 
mutual  sympathy  and  affection ;  and  so  to 
make  the  many  members  feel  themselves  to 
be  but  one  body  in  him. 


Self-Examination. 


SELF-EXAMINATION. 


AVE  I  truly  and  deeply  felt  that  I 
was  by  nature  estranged  from  God 
and  goodness,  —  was  one  of  the   lost 

whom  Jesus  came  to  save  ? 

2.  Have  I  reason,  in  the  consciousness  of 
what  I  feel,  for  a  comfortable  hope  that  my 
heart  has  been  renewed  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  that  I  have  truly  received  Christ  by 
faith  ? 

3.  Is  it  my  sincere  desire,  and  steadfast 
purpose,  and  daily  resolute  endeavor,  to  deny 
and  subdue  myself,  to  put  on  the  Christian 
graces,  and  to  grow  in  likeness  of  Christ  ? 

4.  Do   I  habitually  remember,  and  strive 


1 6  Remember  Me. 


faithfully  to  keep,  the  promises  made  in  my 
public  profession  of  religion  ? 

5.  Do  I  depend  alone  on  Christ's  atoning 
sacrifice  for  pardon  and  peace  with  God,  and 
on  his  power  to  keep  me  unto  everlasting 
life? 

6.  Am  I  consciously  prepared  lovingly  and 
gratefully  to  give  myself  anew  to  Christ  my 
Lord  while  I  sit  with  him  at  his  table,  and 
to  renew  in  all  sincerity  my  covenant-vows? 


It  will  serve  but  little  purpose  merely  to 

read  the  preceding  questions  over.     If  you 

will  profit  by  them,  reader,  take  them 

Remarks. 

up  one  by  one  ;  interrogate  most  se- 
riously and  faithfully  your  heart;  and  after 
deliberate  reflection,  as  in  the  sight  of  God, 
who  searches  the  secret  soul,  answer  truly 


Self-Exam  i  nation.  17 

to  yourself.  You  will  not  be  likely  to  find 
either  comfort  or  strength  in  coming  to  the 
Saviours  table,  unless  you  can  honestly  an- 
swer these  questions,  with  a  good  degree  of 
confidence,  in  the  affirmative.  Remember 
the  words  of  the  apostle :  "  Let  a  man  ex- 
amine himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  this 
bread,  and  drink  of  this  cup." 


O   Thou  who  knowest  my  inmost  heart! 
help  me  in  all  sincerity  to   answer 

Prayer. 

these   questions    to   myself  and    to 
thee,  as  in  thy  most  holy  presence ;  and  dis- 
pose my  heart  aright,  that  I  may  profitably 
meet  thee  at  thy  board;  through  Jesus  Christ 
my  Lord.     Amen. 


1 8  Remember  Me. 


CHRIST    LOVED    UNSEEN. 


ESUS,  these  eyes  have  never  seen 
That  radiant  form  of  thine  !     . 

The  vail  of  sense  hangs  dark  between 
Thy  blessed  face  and  mine ! 


I  see  thee  not,  I  hear  thee  not ; 

Yet  art  thou  oft  with  me ; 
And  earth  hath  ne'er  so  dear  a  spot 

As  where  I  meet  with  thee. 

Like  some  bright  dream,  that  comes  unsought, 

When  slumbers  o'er  me  roll, 
Thine  image  ever  fills  my  thought, 

And  charms  my  ravished  soul. 


Christ  loved  Unseen. 


Yet  though  I  have  not  seen,  and  still 

Must  rest  in  faith  alone, 
I  love  thee,  dearest  Lord  !  and  will,  — 

Unseen,  but  not  unknown 

When  death  these  mortal  eyes  shall  seal, 
And  still  this  throbbing  heart, 

The  rending  vail  shall  thee  reveal, 
All  glorious  as  thou  art. 


PREPARATORY  EXERCISES. 


I.    ANTICIPATION. 


MONDAY   EVENING. 


GAIN  the  day  approaches  when  I 
may  keep  the  Christian  joyful  an- 
feast  of  holy  love.     De- 

J  ofthesac- 

lightful  occasion !     I  welcome  its  re-    rament 
turn.     Do    this —  this  simple  but  most  ex- 
pressive act  —  in  remembrance  of    ■ 
me  !     Yes,  Lord !  with  solemn  joy  I 
will.     The  command  is  full  of  wisdom  and 
of  grace.     The  sacrament  so  instituted  in  thy 


22  Remember  Me. 

Church  is  at  once  divinely  touching,  and  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  the  necessities  of  thy  dis- 
ciples.    I    recognize   in  it  a  special  call  to 
self-examination,  and  to  a  renewed  withdraw- 
ing of  my  affections  from  their  too  eager  pur- 
suit of  inferior  good.     Each  day,  therefore, 
until  the  season  comes,  I  will  set  apart  an 
The  even-     hour — it  shall  be,  as  now,  the  peace- 
,un      ful  evening   hour,  if  possible  —  in 
which,  withdrawn    from   the    noisy  world,   I 
may  commune  with  my  own  heart,  and  med- 
itate on  Christ's  great  sacrifice.    Come,  Jesus, 
and  bless  these  moments  with  thy  presence. 
I  sit  in  this  quiet  hour,  and  look  at  the 
fading  west.     The   sun   has   disap- 

Christ  the  &  r 

Light   of    peared.     But  see  what  glory  he  still 

sheds    upon    the    world !     Though 

himself  no  longer  seen,  his  beams  still  bathe 

woods,  fields,  and  streams,  and  yonder  float- 


Anticipation. 


ing  clouds,  in  rosy  light.  Even  so  my  bless- 
ed Lord,  the  Sun  of  righteousness, —  though 
ho  more  for  a  season  visible  to  mortal  eyes, 
—  sheds  a  sweet  radiance  on  his  Church,  a 
soft  and  twilight  radiance,  grateful  to  loving- 
souls ;  and,  like  the  evening  light  of  polai 
regions,  not  fading  till  the  morning  breaks 
again,  and  he  re-appears.  Though  Christ 
now  I  see  him  not,  yet,  believing,  I 

own  till  he 

am  cheered  ever  with  somewhat  of      comes 

his  light,  the  reflection  of  which  is 

the  beauty  of  all  saints.     Rejoice  in  him,  my 

soul! 

At  the  sacramental  table  I  may  meet  him, 
if  my  heart  is  ready  to  receive  so     Christ 
divine  a  guest.     Contact  with   the 

°  the  prc- 


world  begets  a  sense  of  defilement, 
even  where  there  is  no  conscious- 
ness of  deliberate  willful  sin  ;  and  it  is  good 


24  Remember  Me. 

to  return  to  the  fountain,  and  wash  and  be 
clean.  When  the  cares  and  the  business  of 
life  have  hurried  me  hither  and  thither  with 
no  little  distraction  of  mind,  I  love  to  come 
back  again,  and  sit  down  before  the  cross, 
and  gaze  on  the  blessed  Sufferer  with  silent, 
tender  memories.     I  love  to  devote 

Self-conse- 
cration re-    myself  to  him  anew,  and  to  repeat 

the  vows  made  in  the  days  of  my 
espousals.  It  is  like  coming  once  more  into 
the  sunshine  after  long  walking  through 
gloom  and  mist.  Let  me  come  to  thy  table, 
Lord,  with  right  affections  and  with  a  lively 
faith,  that  I  lose  not  the  benefits  of  the  occa- 
i  Cor.  ii :    sion.      To   a   heart   not   graciously 

prepared,  there  is  nothing  life-giving 

No     profit 

to  a  care-    even  in  the  sight  of  the  cross,  and 

of  the  divine  Victim  offered  there. 

Grant  me  then,  O  Jesus!  beforehand,  such 


Anticipation.  25 


self-abasement  for  sin,  such  rekindling  of 
faith  and  hope,  and  such  discoveries  of  the 
fullness  of  thy  grace  and  love,  that  I  may  find 
new  life  and  joy  while  with  thy  people  I  shall 
sit  and  commune  with  thee.  Hast  johni4: 
thou  not  said,  "  He  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love 
him,  and  will  manifest  myself  unto  him"? 
Come,  then,  and    ^ive   me   to   feel      „,  .  , 

0  Chnsts 

most  consciously  that  thou  art  with     presence 

me  here.    Blessed  then,  indeed,  shall 

the   moments   be !     Awake,  O   north  wind ! 

and  come,  thou  south  !  blow  upon  sol.  Song 

my  garden,  that  the  spices  thereof 

may  flow  out.     From  my  soul,  warmed  by 

the  breath  of  the   Spirit,  may  the  fragrant 

perfume  of  holy  affection  ascend  to  Christ ! 

Then  let  my  Beloved  come  into  his  garden, 

and  eat  his  pleasant  fruits. 


26  Remember  Me. 


THE    ANOINTING. 

Mark  13:3-9. 

1  HE  came  —  the  sinful  —  while  he  brake 
the  bread, 
Her  broken  heart  now  healed,  and  brim- 


With  holy  burning  love ;  she  came  to  pour 
Sweet,  precious  odors  on  that  reverend  head  ; 
And  —  as  by  deep,  prophetic  impulse  led  — 
That  sacred  body,  soon  uplifted  high 
'Mid  scorn  and  shame,  in  agony  to  die, 
Betimes  to  anoint  for  its  sepulchral  bed. 
Ungrudgingly  she  did  the  loving  deed  ; 
For  to  that  glowing  heart  no  offering  seemed 
Too  rich  for  Him,  no  cost  too  dear  she  deemed, 
If  he  with  one  kind  look  the  gift  might  heed. 
The  selfish  chid  ;  pronounced  her  act  a  crime  : 
He  praised,  and  bade  it  live  to  latest  time ! 


I  saw  Thee.  27 


I    SAW    THEE. 

When  thou  wast  under  the  fig-tree,  I  saw  thee. — John  i  :  4S. 

SAW  thee  when,  as  twilight  fell, 
And  Evening  lit  her  fairest  star, 

Thy  footsteps  sought  yon  quiet  dell, 
The  world's  confusion  left  afar. 

I  saw  thee  when  thou  stood'st  alone 

Where  drooping  branches  thick  o'erhung — 

Thy  still  retreat  to  all  unknown  — 
Hid  in  deep  shadows  darkly  flung. 

I  saw  thee,  when,  as  died  each  sound 
Of  bleating  flock  or  woodland  bird, 

Kneeling,  as  if  on  holy  ground, 

Thy  voice  the  listening  silence  heard. 

I  saw  thy  calm  uplifted  eyes, 

And  marked  the  heaving  of  thy  breast, 
When  rose  to  heaven  thy  heartfelt  sighs 

For  purer  life,  for  perfect  rest. 


28  Remember  Me. 


I  saw  the  light  that  o'er  thy  face 
Stole  with  a  soft  suffusing  glow, 

As  if,  within,  celestial  grace 

Breathed  the  same  bliss  that  angels  know. 

I  saw — what  thou  didst  not  —  above 
Thy  lowly  head  an  open  heaven  ; 

And  tokens  of  thy  Father's  love, 
With  smiles,  to  thy  rapt  spirit  given. 

I  saw  thee  from  that  sacred  spot 
With  firm  and  peaceful  soul  depart ; 

I,  Jesus,  saw  thee,  —  doubt  it  not,  — 
And  read  the  secrets  of  thy  heart ! 


II.     THE    PASSOVER. 


TUESDAY   EVENING. 


IRST  in  the  series  of  events  im- 
mediately connected  with 

J  Evening 

the  Redeemer's  death  was    >i  the] 
the  last  passover.     In  the  endeavor 
to  prepare  my  soul  for  the  sacramental  com- 
munion of  his  great  sacrifice,  let  me  begin 
at  this  point,  and  attend  him  through  some 
of  the  painful  scenes  that  followed. 

He  sat  down  with  the  twelve.     How  sim- 
ple is  the  statement!  and  yet  how      Matthew 
much  does  it  express !     His  hour,  as 
he  knew,  was  just  at  hand.     He  must  needs 


30  Remember  Me. 


perform  now  his  last  acts,  and  make  himself 
ready  to  be  offered.  Once  more  he  will  keep 
that  great  national  feast  in  which  his  own 
death,  as  the  true  paschal  lamb,  was  repre- 
sented. How  full  of  meaning  it  must  always 
have  been  to  him !  But  this  was  to  be  his 
it  is  the  last  observance  of  it  before  the  shed- 
feast.    d;ng  Q£  kjs  own  avaiiing  blood  upon 

the  cross.  The  type  was  now  to  be  fulfilled 
in  that  great  sacrifice,  in  view  of  which  the 
angel  of  wrath  should  pass  over  the  true  Is- 
rael, and  spare  them  as  redeemed  from  death. 
There  was  every  thing  in  the  occasion  to 
move  his  heart  profoundly.  He  was  imme- 
diately to  part  from  his  beloved  disciples  : 
worse  still,  he  was  to  be  himself  deliberately 
forsaken  by  them  for  a  season,  and  to  tread 
die  winepress  alone.  All  this  was  in  his 
thought.     Yet  what  sublime  collectedness  of 


The  Passover. 


soul !     No  perturbation,  no  appeal  for  sympa- 
thy or  comfort,  no  want  of  his  usual 

Jesus 

perfect  equanimity.  He  exhibits  his  divinely 
wonted  calmness,  mingled  with  dig- 
nity and  sweetness;  was,  in  a  word,  altogether 
like  himself.  Dear  Lord !  what  steadiness  of 
purpose,  what  devotion  to  thy  work,  and  what 
strength  of  holy  love,  were  thine !  Help  me 
herein  more  faithfully  to  copy  thee.  For 
lack  of  these  thy  graces,  thy  chosen  friends 
were  overcome  by  the  fear  of  man,  and  failed 
in  the  hour  of  trial.  Let  me  not  weakly  fal- 
ter, if  for  thy  sake,  and  in  the  way  of  duty,  I 
am  brought  to  face  suffering  and  shame. 
Let  me  admire,  too,  the  compassion  and 

tenderness  of  Jesus  in  these  affect- 
Ambition 

ing  circumstances.     When  the  dis-  01  the  dis- 
ciples,   not   yet    understanding   the 
nature  of  his  kingdom,  and  ignorant  of  the 


32  Remember  Me. 


future,  disputed,  in  a  selfish  and  ambitious 
spirit,  which  of  them  should  be  greatest,  he 
mildly  taught  them  that  no  such  questions 
Luke  should  ever  be  raised  among  his 
servants.  Then,  to  enforce  his 
teachings  by  his  personal  example,  he  him- 
self assumed  the  office  of  a  servant,  and  with 

Christ    ^'1S  own  nan<^s  washed   and  wiped 

washes    their  feet !     How  touching,  and  yet 

how  pungent,  the  rebuke  implied! 

How  memorable  are  the  words  of  comment 

which  he  added! — "If  I,  then,  your  Lord 

John  13:   and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet, 

ye  ought  also  to  wash  one  another's 

feet."     It  was  thus  that  he  taught  his  follow- 

„,,    ,         ers  in  all  time  to  be  clothed  with 

The  lesson 

of  humility  humility,  and  to  cultivate  and  ex- 
hibit a  spirit  of  mutual  helpfulness 
and  love.     Ah,  Lord !  how  few  of  us  have 


The  Passover.  33 


thoroughly  learned  this  lesson!  But  too  little 
care  for  each  other  is  seen  among  those  who 
bear  thy  name.  Comparatively  few  are  ready 
to  perform  for  each  other  self-denying  ser- 
vices, or  even  the  little  acts  of  kindness  to 
which  love  naturally  prompts.  Have  I  not 
myself  been  greatly  deficient  in  Christ-like 
care  and  affection  for  my  brethren  ?  seif-scru- 
Have  I  not  failed  especially  to  con- 
descend to  them  that  are  of  low  estate,  and 
to  seek  their  good  ?  Forgive,  O  Holy  One ! 
my  self-seeking,  uncharitableness,  and  pride. 
Assist  me  to  love  all  thine  for  thy  dear  sake, 
and  kindly  to  minister  even  to  the  humblest, 
as  opportunity  may  offer. 

Ye  are  not  all  clean!     No:  fear-  John  13:11 

The  bc- 

ful  words!     In   the   little   band   of 

trayal   an- 

cherished    friends,    there    was    one    nounced. 
false,   hollow-hearted    traitor.      Perhaps   not, 


34  Remember  Me. 

in    the   beginning,  consciously  a   hypocrite. 

Quite   probably  he  had   been   self-deceived, 

and  had  believed  himself  a  true  disciple ;  yet 

all  the  while   his  Lord  had  recog- 

John  6 :  70. 

nized  in  him  a  devil.  Dear  Lord  ! 
and  is  this  possible  ?  May  I,  though  I  have 
thought  I  loved  thee,  though  I  have 
borne  thy  blessed  name  and  have 
sat  around  thy  table,  be  counted  of  thee  an 
enemy  even  now,  and  fall  away  from  thee  at 
length?  When  sometimes  my  heart  grows 
languid  in  its  devotion,  remiss  in  its  watch- 
fulness, and  engrossed  with  earthly  interests ; 
when  the  remembrances  of  thy  cross  and  pas- 
sion are  infrequent,  or  seem  in  a  measure  to 
have  lost  their  power  to  move  me  to  grateful 
tenderness,  —  I  tremble  lest  my  hold  on  thee 
should  fail  entirely,  and  should  prove  to  be 
something  less  than  the  unyielding  grasp  of 


The  Passover.  35 


a  true  and  living  faith.  Yet  I  can  not  endure 
to  think  of  this.  How  but  in  thee  can  my 
soul,  that  longs  for  sympathy,  for  rest,  for 
purity,  be  satisfied  ?  Disowned  of  thee,  what 
would  remain  for  me  but  a  hopeless  wretched- 
ness like  that  of  the  false  apostle  ?  "  Search 
me,  O  God  !  and  know  my  heart ;  Psalm 
try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  ;  and  2^  2+- 
see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 


36  Remember  Me. 


THE  ALARM. 

E  kept  the  Passover  ;  it  was  his  last : 
For  now  drew  near  the  great  predestined 
day 

When  of  man's  mighty  guilt  himself  should 

pay, 

With  dying  groans,  and  blood,  the  ransom  vast. 

The  cross  was  in  his  eye  ;  the  hours  flew  fast : 

Yet  calm  he  sat,  and  looked  serenely  round 

On  all  the  twelve  ;  while  they,  with  awe  profound, 

And  loving  gaze  on  him,  revolved  the  past, 

The  future  from  them  hid :  then,  touched,  he  said, 

"  Of  you,  one  shall  betray  me  unto  death  !  " 

At  that  dire  word,  betray,  they  all  did  start, 

As  if  a  thunder-peal  had  stilled  each  breath, 

Or  sudden  mortal  pang  shot  through  each  heart : 

"  Lord  !  is  it  I  ? "  each  cried  with  horrid  dread. 


Self-Devotion.  37 

SELF-DEVOTION. 

* 
AKE  me,  O  my  Father !  take  me, 

Take  me,  save  me  through  thy  Son  ; 
That  which  thou  wouldst  have  me,  make 
me : 
Let  thy  will  in  me  be  done. 

Long  from  thee  my  footsteps  straying, 

Thorny  proved  the  way  I  trod : 
Weary  come  I  now,  and  praying ; 

Take  me  to  thy  love,  my  God. 

Fruitless  years  with  grief  recalling, 

Humbly  I  confess  my  sin  ; 
At  thy  feet,  O  Father  !  falling  : 

To  thy  household  take  me  in. 

Freely  now  to  thee  I  proffer 

This  relenting  heart  of  mine  ; 
Freely  life  and  soul  I  offer, — 

Gift  unworthy  love  like  thine ! 


38  Remember  Me. 

Once  the  world's  Redeemer,  dying, 
Bare  our  sins  upon  the  tree  : 

On  that  sacrifice  relying, 
Now  I  look  in  hope  to  thee. 

Father,  take  me  ;  all  forgiving, 
Fold  me  to  thy  loving  breast : 

In  thy  love  for  ever  living, 
I  must  be  for  ever  blest. 


III.     THE    UNMASKING. 


WEDNESDAY    EVENING. 


UDAS,    though    he    had    flattered 
himself  that  the  baseness   The  traitor 
I  of  his  heart  was  yet  un-  exposed' 
known  to  Christ,  must  have  been  undeceived 
by   those    few   and   quiet   words  —     M   t 

J  l  Matt.  26: 

"Thou  hast  said 

do  quickly."  He  withdrew  at  once 
from  a  presence  he  could  no  longer  bear. 
Conscious  guilt  must  needs  desire  to  escape 
the  presence  of  spotless  purity.  Fixed  in  his 
wicked  purpose,  his  own  conscience  com- 
pelled the  traitor  to  separate  himself  for  ever 


That  thou  doest    25.   John 
13:27. 


40  Remember  Me. 


from  the  loving  and  true-hearted  disciples, 
He  departs  an(j   from   the   holy   Jesus.      From 

finally 

that  hour  he  became  an  outcast. 
ist-  "  He  went  out,  and  it  was  night," 
says  the  evangelist;  night  not  only  around 
him,  but  yet  more  dismal  night  within  his 
soul.  He  departed  from  that  company  of 
i  John  2 :    the  faithful,  because  he  was  never 

of  them,  and  not  because  a  real  tie 
of  love  between  himself  and  Christ  had  now 

been  broken.     So,  soon  or  late,  will 

heart  sure 

to  be  every  deceived  or  consciously  false 
revealed,  j^^  reveal  itself.  At  the  bar  of 
judgment,  if  not  sooner,  Christ  will  strip  off 
all  disguises,  and  exhibit  every  character  pre- 
cisely as  it  is.  O  Saviour !  let  me  not  then 
be  found  to  have  been  either  a  deliberate 
hypocrite,  or  blindly  self-deluded. 

The  departure  of  Judas  must  have  been  a 


The  Unmasking.  41 

relief  to  the  blessed  Jesus.  Now  he  could 
speak  freely  to  those,  who,  in  spite  The  with- 
of  their  weakness  of  faith  and  their 

Judas  a  re- 

defects,  were  all  of  them  truly  his.  lieftojesus 
He  alluded  in  plain  terms  to  the  approach- 
ing end  of  his  earthly  mission,  and     jGhn  13 : 
to  his  departure  from  the  world  to 
enter  into  his  glorified  estate.     Yet  he  with- 
held much  ;  for  he  would  spare  their  feelings. 
Having  loved  his  own  which  were 
in    the  world,  he  loved  them  to  the 
end ;  and  he  could  freely  give  expression  to 
his  affection.     Happy  eleven !   what  can  be 
so  delightful  as  to  be  allowed,  in  the 

0  Blessed  to 

character  of  confidential  friends,  to     be  with 
enjoy,  apart  from  the  world,  free  in- 
tercourse  with    Christ  ?      This,    Lord,    thou 
givest  all  who  truly  love  thee  leave  to  do  at 
the  sacramental  table.     With  thine,  and  near 


42  Remember  Me. 


to  thee,  do  I  earnestly  desire  to  sit,  whoever 
may  withdraw.  Methinks  I  hear  thee  ask, 
John  6 :  67,  "  Wilt  thou  also  go  away  ?  "  and  my 
heart  answers,  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall 
I  go  ?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life." 
No,  no,  my  blessed  Master!  As  thou  shalt 
keep  me,  I  will  never  depart  from  thee,  never 
neglect  to  meet  thee  with  thine  own  around 
thy  sacred  board. 

And  wilt  thou  not  help  me,  that, 

Jesus  will 

help  his     weak  as  in  myself  I  am,  I  may  cleave 
to  thee  without  faltering  ?    "  I  know 
my  sheep,  and  am  known  of  mine.     I  give 
John  10:    unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they  shall 
never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck 
them  out  of  my  hands."     Such  are  thy  pre- 
cious words.     On  these  I  may  rely. 
The  great,  decisive  question  is,  Am 

mentous 

question.     I  indeed  acknowledged  of  thee  as 


The  Unmasking.  43 

thine  ?  Judas  was  counted  in  thine  house- 
hold;  but  thou  didst  see  in  him  a  son  of 
perdition  all  the  while.  My  heart,  in  all  its 
secret  recesses,  is  thoroughly  known  to  thee. 
Dost  thou  discern  in  me  even  a  little  faith 
and  love  ?  Again  and  again  I  ask  myself 
if  I  am  truly  joined  to  thee.  As  often  as 
T  prepare  to  meet  thee  in  the  Holy  Supper, 
the  inquiry  suggests  itself  anew ;  and  far 
as  I  am  from  complete  conformity  to  thee, 
when  I  listen  to  the  response  from  my  in- 
most heart,  it  does  seem  to  testify  that  I  bear 
thee  a  true  affection.  I  do  feel  at  times  — 
unless  I  am  totally  deceived  —  a  de- 
lightful consciousness  that  the  Spirit 

0  ness  of  the 

beareth  witness  with  my  spirit  that   Spirit. 
I  am  a  child  of  God.     When  thou 
sayest  to  my  soul,  "  Lovest  thou  me  ? "  I  do 
seem  able  to  appeal  to  thee  to  answer  for 


44  Remember  Me. 


me  —  able  to  say  with   Peter,  "  Lord,  thou 
knowest    all   things;    thou  knowest 

John  21:15. 

that  I  love  thee."  Dear  Lord,  con- 
firm my  faith  and  hope.  Give  me  a  sweeter 
assurance  of  thy  love  than  ever  I  have  had 
before  at  this  approaching  feast;  while  the 
recollection  of  the  fall  of  Judas  fills  me  with 
a  salutary  fear.  Separation  from  thee  and 
thine !     I  can  not  endure  the  thought. 


The  Departure.  45 


. 


THE   DEPARTURE. 

HE  loved  disciple  lay  upon  his  breast, 
Drinking  sweet  influence  from  that  voice 

divine : 
He  asked;  the  Master  gave  at  once  the 


That  marked  the  traitor,  justified  the  rest. 

Then  with  convicting  glance,  while  yet  dismay 

Sat  on  the  faces  of  the  innocent, 

He  said  —  and  Judas  knew  the  deep  intent  — 

"  What  thou  hast  purposed,  do  without  delay." 

Heart-smitten,  out  into  the  murky  night 

Went  he,  foul  demons  ruling  all  his  soul, 

And  floods  of  hate  that  surged  without  control : 

Then  Jesus  cried  —  his  eyes  beamed  heavenly 

light  — 
"Now  shall  the  Son  of  man — betrayed,  denied  — 
Before  all  men,  by  God  be  glorified ! " 


46 


Remember  Me. 


SELF-SEARCHING. 


H,  tell  me,  Jesus  !  to  my  heart — 

My  troubled  heart  —  the  secret  tell ; 
May  I  from  thee  and  thine  depart, 

As  Judas  when  he  falsely  fell  ? 
Is  it  not  love,  this  kindling  flame 
That  warms  my  breast  oft  as  thy  name 

Falls  on  my  willing  ear  ? 
Is  it  not  faith  that  oft  hath  brought 
My  trembling  soul  the  peace  it  sought, 
And  stilled  each  restless  fear  ? 


This  quiet  joy  that  hidden  flows 

Deep  in  my  soul ;  that  makes  me  glad, 

Though  many  a  rude  wind  round  me  blows, 
And  many  a  sorrow  makes  me  sad  — 

Can  this  calm  joy,  that  ever  lives, 

Be  aught  but  that  thy  presence  gives, 


Self-Searching.  47 


To  faithful  souls  revealed  — 
The  presence  and  the  loving  smile 
That  gladden  all  thine  own  —  the  while 

From  unbelief  concealed  ? 

The  tears  that  oft  these  eyes  have  wept 

When  I  before  thy  feet  have  knelt, 
Or  watch  about  thy  cross  have  kept, 

And  all  thy  pangs  have  keenly  felt — 
Came  they  not  from  that  holy  grief 
That  brings  the  broken  heart  relief, 

And  softens  it  to  love  ? 
Was  not  the  hope  that  wakened  there 
Hope  that  shall  triumph  o'er  despair, 
And  bear  the  soul  above  ? 

Speak,  thou  that  knowest  well — decide 
If  I  am  thine,  oh  !  clasp  this  hand  ; 

And  when  my  feet  would  stray  or  slide, 
Then  firmly  hold  and  bid  me  stand. 


48 


Remember  Me. 


Go  forth  from  thee  ?     Give  me  to  bear 
Thy  bitter  cross,  thy  thorns  to  wear ; 

But  let  me  not  depart ! 
No,  Lord :  afresh  to  thee  I  bring 
A  free,  a  cheerful  offering, — 

This  trusting,  grateful  heart. 


IV.     THE    HOLY   SUPPER. 

THURSDAY    EVENING. 

HRIST  and  his  disciples  had  now 
finished  the  Passover.     The  great 
event  typified  by  the  paschal  lamb 
—  the  slaying  of  the  appointed  Lamb    Ch 
of  God,  who  should  take  away  the    Passover. 

r     i  ii  •  ii1  C°r-  5  :  7- 

sin  of  the  world  —  was  just  at  hand. 
The  Lord,  before  he  would  be  offered  up, 
would  set  every  thing  in  order,  with  a  careful 
foresight  of  the  future  needs  of  his  disciples. 
The  time  had  come,  therefore,  for  the  insti- 
tution of  an  ordinance,  which,  to  the  end 
of  time,  might  serve  at  once  to  express  and 


50  Remember  Me. 


to  sustain  the  faith  of  those  who  should  be- 
lieve. 

It  was  the  design  of  the  blessed  Jesus  that 
his  kingdom  in  the  world  should  take  a  visi- 
Christ  will   ble  form  ;  that  is  to  say,  that  his  dis- 
ciples, by  some  appropriate  act  and 

a  visible 

Church,     testimony,  should  become  known  to 
each  other  and  to  the  unbelieving 

32.      Mark  ° 

16:16.  world  as  his.  It  was  his  purpose, 
also,  that  they  should  have  fellowship  one 
John  17:  with  another,  and  that  they  all,  by  a 
living  faith  and  a  holy  sympathy, 
should  be  united  to  him,  their  Saviour  and 
their  life,  and  should  perpetually  confirm  their 
souls  by  cherishing  and  keeping  fresh  the 
memory  of  his  sacrificial  death.  Who  but 
himself  would  ever  have  thought  of  accom- 
plishing this  end  by  means  so  very  simple  ? 
Collect    thyself,   then,    O    my   soul !    and 


The  Holy  Supper. 


behold  thy  Lord  while  he   institutes,  to   be 
observed   throughout  all   time,  this        The 
touching  Christian  sacrament  —  the 

°  fixed  on  the 

taking  of  consecrated  bread  and  institution, 
wine  as  memorials  of  him.  Listen  while 
with  words  of  prayer  he  sets  apart  Matt.  26 : 
these  very  familiar  elements  to  a  2b~29' 
high  and  holy  use.  Then  hear  him  say  to 
the  wondering  disciples  not  yet  prepared  to 
understand  him,  "  Take,  eat ;  this  is  Luke  22  ■. 
my  body  which  is  broken  for  you : 
this  do  in  remembrance  of  mc."  And  again, 
taking  the  cup  with  thanksgiving,  "  This  is 
my  blood  of  the  new  testament,  which  is  shed 
for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins  :  this  do 
ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remem-  Amemori- 
brance  of  me."     It  is  a  truly  divine   : 

beautifully 

simplicity  with    which    the    Master      simple. 
thus  sets  forth,  for  the  instruction  and  com- 


52  Remember  Me. 

fort  of  all  believers,  the  momentous  spiritual 
truths  involved  in  his  cross  and  passion. 

The  act  of  eating  and  drinking  with  one, 

from    ancient   times,  and    especially   among 

Oriental  nations,  has  been  significant 

The  act  of 

eating  and  °f  mutual  confidence  and  affection, 
ins    and  a  pledge  of  perpetual  friendship. 

with  one  a 

pledge  of  By  it  the  Saviour  means,  that,  in  the 
hiP*  sacramental  feast,  his  followers  shal] 
at  once  acknowledge  and  pledge  anew,  from 
time  to  time,  their  love  to  one  another  and 
to  him.  But  he  goes  still  farther.  He  an- 
ticipates, what  from  them  was  yet  concealed, 
that  he  should  be  to  the  world  the  Lamb 
slain, — the  true  Paschal  Lamb, — at 

Christ  the 

true  Pas-  tne  sight  of  which,  Eternal  Justice 
chaiLamb.  should  pass  over  the  sins  of  the  pen- 
itent and  believing.  He  knows  that  he  is 
soon  to  bear  upon  his  head,  and  in  his  hands 


The  Holy  Supper.  53 

and  feet  and  pierced  side,  the  marks  of  ago- 
nies endured  on  behalf  of  guilty  man.  Bro- 
ken for  you  !  Yes,  dearest  Lord !  thou  wast 
wounded    for    our    transgressions ; 

&  »     Isa.  53:5. 

thou  wast  bruised  for  our  iniquities. 
Thou  didst  bear  our  sins  in  thine 
own  body  on  the  tree. 

"  'Twas  for  my  sins  my  dearest  Lord 
Hung  on  the  accursed  tree  \ 
And  groaned  away  a  dying  life 
For  thee,  my  soul,  for  thee  !  " 

I  see  in  this  bread  thy  lacerated,  suffering 
body,  and  through  thy  sacred  wounds  The  Sup- 
I   penetrate  to  the  anguish  of  thy     pei 

symbol   of 

spirit.     This  cup,  to  me,  is  the  fit     Christ's 
symbol  of  thy  blood  — the  blood  of   *uirerinss 

and  of  his 

the  great  atonement  —  shed  for  the     atoning 
remission  of  sin.     As   I  look  upon 


54  Remember  Me. 


this  wine,  I  remember  that  without  the  shed- 
„  ,  ding  of  blood    there   could   be    no 

Heb.  9  :  22.  ° 

remission,  and  that  thou,  by  thine 

own  blood,  hast  entered  in  once  into  the  holy 

place,  having   obtained   eternal  re- 
Heb.9: 12.  r       '  & 

demption  for  me,  a  sinful  soul  —  for 
all  who  rest  on  thy  once-offered  sacrifice. 

Yes,  thou  that  takest  away  the  sin  of  the 
The  ob-     world,  eating  this  bread  and  drink- 
ing this  cup,  thy  disciples  shall  show 


servance 


of  the  Sup- 
per a  testi-    forth    thy  death    until    thou    come. 

monj  to     go  will  we  tell  the  world  and  each 

the  world. 

other  that  we  are  thine.  When, 
with  my  fellow-Christians,  I  shall  again  ob- 
serve thy  sacramental  ordinance,  I  will  ten- 
derly and  thankfully  remember  thee,  thy 
painful  and  bloody  death.  I  will  lay  my  soul 
once  more  beneath  thy  cross  ;  will  repeat  with 
hearty  joy  the  vows  of  faithful  love  and  ser- 


The  Holy  Supper.  55 

vice :    and   by  faith   my  soul    shall   feast  on 
thee  the  Bread  of  life,  and  drink  of  thee  the 
spiritual   Rock,  asking  for  nothing      Christ 
more  than  out  of  thy  fullness  to  be  sPiri 

rece : 

richly  and  perpetually  filled.      Pre- 

sacrament. 

pare  thou  me  to  meet  thee  at  thy  ta- 
ble.    Let  thy  cup  of  blessing  which  1  Cor.  10: 
is  blessed  be  indeed  to  me  the  com- 
munion of  thy  blood ;  and  the  bread  which 
is  broken,  the  communion  of  thy  body. 


$6  Remember  Me. 


THE   INSTITUTION. 

E  took  the  bread,  and  blessed  it.     Then  he 
brake, 

And  gave  to  each,  and  said  —  oh  words  sub- 
lime !  — 

"  This  is  my  body  broken  !     Through  all  time, 
In  memory  of  my  death,  this  emblem  take." 
Next  for  the  cup  gave  thanks.     For  his  dear  sake, 
He  bade  them  taste  the  wine.     "  Drink :  'tis  my 

blood, 
The  seal  and  witness  of  all  grace  in  God, 
Till  when  the  judgment  trump  the  dead  shall  wake." 
Oh  sacred  mystery !  communion  sweet 
Of  holy,  loving  souls,  in  which  they  flow 
All  into  one  blest  brotherhood,  and  meet 
Ineffably  their  Lord,  and  joy  to  know 
That  at  this  simple  board  they  feast  with  Him 
Whose  face  unveiled  fires  the  rapt  seraphim ! 


Sacramental  Hymn.  57 


SACRAMENTAL   HYMN. 

BREAD  to  pilgrims  given  ! 
0  Food  that  angels  eat ! 
O  Manna  sent  from  heaven, 

For  heaven-born  natures  meet ! 
Give  us,  for  thee  long  pining, 
To  eat  till  richly  filled  ; 
Till,  earth's  delights  resigning, 
Our  every  wish  is  stilled  ! 

O  Water,  life-bestowing, 

From  out  the  Saviour's  heart ! 
A  Fountain  purely  flowing, 

A  Fount  of  love,  thou  art. 
Oh,  let  us,  freely  tasting, 

Our  burning  thirst  assuage  ! 
Thy  sweetness,  never  wasting, 

Avails  from  age  to  age. 


58  Remember  Me. 


Jesus,  this  feast  receiving, 

We  thee,  unseen,  adore  ; 
Thy  faithful  word  believing, 

We  take,  and  doubt  no  more. 
Give  us,  thou  true  and  loving, 

On  earth  to  live  in  thee  ; 
Then,  death  the  vail  removing, 

Thy  glorious  face  to  see ! 

Translated  from  Thomas  Aquinas. 


V.     PARTING   WORDS. 


FRIDAY    EVENING. 


UR  Lord  and  his  chosen  friends 
seem  to  have  lingered  a  The  Sa- 
while   around    the    table,   viour  dis 

cour- 

after  the  institution  of  the  Supper;  terthe 
while  he,  mindful  of  their  approach- 
ing trials,  so  immediately  connected  with  his 
own,  discoursed  to  them  at  length.  He  spoke 
as  knowing  himself  the  future,  but  without 
lifting  the  vail  to  disclose  it  fully  to  their 
view.  When  he  had  reached  the  point  at 
which  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John  closes, 
they  appear  to  have  risen  from  the  table,  as 


60  Remember  Me. 

John  i4 :     if  with   the   purpose  of  departing. 
But  probably,  as  they  stood  grouped 
together  after  rising,  the  conversation  recom- 
menced, and  the  Saviour  went  on  again,  as 
recorded  in  the  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  chap- 
ters ;  and  then  concluded  the  interview  with 
prayer.     This  supposition  agrees  with  all  the 
circumstances,  and  is  much  more  probable 
The  con-   than  that  this  delightful  conversa- 
tion occurred  out  of  doors  as  they 

and  prayer 

not  out  of  were  walking.  The  whole  spirit  of 
the  words  addressed  to  the  disciples, 
and  of  the  sublime  prayer  that  followed,  sa- 
vors of  retirement  —  of  a  secluded,  quiet 
place  —  and  would  ill  befit  the  wayside. 

Parting  words!  They  are  always  affect- 
ing, the  more  in  proportion  as  the  person 
uttering  them  is  venerated  and  beloved. 
The  last  words  of  a  father  or  a  mother  or  an 


Parting  Words.  6i 


honored  and  cherished  friend,  when   The  words 
about  to  leave  the  world,  are  wont  to 

touching, 

be  kept  by  the  survivors  as  the  jewels     because 
of  the  heart.     But  while,  as  his  part-  the  last  be' 

fore  he 

ing  words,  these  last  sayings  of  the     suffered. 

Lord  Jesus  have  a  deep  and  peculiar  interest, 

they  are  yet  more  precious  because     They  are 

of  the  invaluable  truths  and  prom- 
truth  and 

ises  which  they  embody.  They  comfort, 
furnish  a  solid  ground  for  faith  to  rest  upon 
amidst  all  trials  and  throughout  all  time. 
They  breathe  the  deepest  tenderness,  the 
purest  love,  and  the  most  divine  tranquillity 
of  soul.  In  these  words,  the  whole  He  spoke 
Church  of  the  redeemed,  down  to 

ers  in  all 

the  last  day  of  the  world,  have  an        time, 
individual  concern.     They  belong  to  me  per- 
sonally, if  I  am  Christ's.     While  now  once 
more  I  read  and  meditate  upon  them,  may 


62  Remember  Me. 

they  come  warm  and  fresh  to  my  soul,  as  if 
from  the  lips  of  my  blessed  Master! 

And  most  naturally  do  they  connect  them- 
selves with  the  sacramental  season,  in  that 
I  am  to  commemorate  my  Saviour's  death  for 
me,  and  these  are  his  words  of  comfort  spo- 
ken for  me  as  he  went  to  die.  How  like  him 
was  it  to  be  then  chiefly  occupied,  not  with 
his  own  coming  anguish,  but  with  the  trials 
awaiting  those  who  should  be  left 

John  16:  ° 

13-         without  him  amidst  an  evil  and  hos- 
tile world!     Let  me  emulate  this  forgetful- 

ness  of  self.     Let  me  be  more  in- 
Like 

Christ,  to   tent   on    ministering    strength    and 

be  most  111 

mindful  of  svmPathy  to  others  than  on  moving 
others,  them  to  pity  by  recounting  my  own 
distresses.  Forget  not,  O  my  soul,  in  what 
spirit  thy  Saviour  spoke  when  the  hour  of  his 
own  great  sorrows  was  even  now  at  hand. 


Parting  Words.  63 


Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled! 
This  is  the  key-note  of  his  wonder- 
ful discourse. 

Ah,  dearest  Lord,  how  hard  is  th^s  for  our 
weak  faith!  How  difficult  to  con-  Faithmust 
fide  in  thee,  and  fear  nothing!     Yet    be  stron» 

to  conquer 

why  should  I  be  anxious  ?  Of  what  fear< 
should  I  be  afraid  ?  In  that  covenant,  which 
at  thy  table  I. am  going  to  renew  again  as  I 
have  done  so  often,  every  thing  absolutely 
which  is  involved  in  my  perfect  safety  and 
my  best  well-being  thou  hast  bound  thyself 
to  save  me.     A  mansion  in  thy  Fa- 

&  J  John  14: 

ther  s  house  ;  the  promise  that  thou       2. 3. 
thyself  wilt  come  and  bring  me  to  it  —  wilt 
send  the  Comforter  with  a  ministry  T  , 

■>     John  16  :  7. 

even  better  to  me  than  thine  —  wilt 

John  14: 

thyself  come  and  make  thine  abode        23# 
with  me  —  wilt  permit  me  to  live  in  thee  as 


64  Remember  Me. 


John  15 :      the  branch  liveth  in  the  vine ;  and 

John  15 
11. 


then  the  unqualified  permission  to 
ask  and  receive  till  my  joy  shall  be 
full  —  such  are  the  gifts  of  thy  most  faithful 
love.     Well  didst  thou  say.  "  Not  as 

John  14 ;  J ' 

27-        the  world  giveth  give  I  unto  thee." 
O  blessed  Jesus !  assist  me,  while  I  sit  with 
thee  at  thy  table,  with  warm  affec- 

Prajer  for 

faith  and  tion  and  unhesitating  confidence  to 
intrust  myself,  in  body  and  soul,  for 
life  and  death,  to  thee.  Help  thou  me  also, 
after  thy  divine  example,  to  feel  a  generous 
love  and  a  tender  care  for  my  fellow-disciples, 
and  to  go  out  of  myself  in  ministering,  as 
opportunity  is  given,  to  their  encourage- 
,    ment  and  comfort.     Thou  hast  said, 

Mutual 

love  com  "  This  is  my  commandment,   That 
ye  love  one  another  as  I  have  loved 

John  13  :    -/ 

you."     Do  thou   enable   me  to  re- 


Parting  Words.  65 

member  this  as  a  portion  of  thy  parting 
charge,  and  to  count  even  the  humblest  of 
thy  followers  my  brother,  or  sister,  well  be- 
loved for  thy  dear  sake.  Let  me  not  forget 
that  these  are  to  be  my  companions  and  the 
sharers  of  my  joy  in  the  world  above,  and 
that  thou  acknowledgest  every  act  of  kind- 
ness done  to  them  as  if  done  unto  thyself. 
By  patience  with  all  their  infirmities  and 
faults,  and  tender  sympathy  with  their  bur- 
dens and  their  sorrows,  let  me  be  prepared 
to  hear  thee  say  to  me  at  last,  "  In-  M 
asmuch  as  thou  hast  done  it  unto 
the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  thou  hast 
done  it  unto  Me." 


&■ 


66  Remember  Me. 


THE   HOLY   BOND. 

LITTLE  while,  he  said,  and  hence  I  go  ; 
And  ye  shall  seek  me,  but  ye  shall  not 
find: 
Ye  may  not  follow  now  ;  but  left  behind, 
My  witnesses,  the  world  by  you  shall  know 
The  truth  ;  that  truth  strike  root,  and  grow  ; 
A  holy  kingdom  rise,  and  wide  extend, 
Till  e'en  earth's  proudest  shall  submissive  bend, 
And  unto  me  all  tribes  and  nations  flow. 
Behold,  a  new  command  to  you  I  give  — 
Love  one  another:  all  who  will  be  mine 
Let  love  in  one  blest  fellowship  combine, 
That  each  for  all,  and  all  for  each,  may  live. 
So,  marked  of  men,  shall  ye,  'mid  earth's  dim  night, 
Divinely  glow  with  pure  celestial  light. 


Tin:  Unity  of  Love.  67 


THE   UNITY   OF   LOVE. 


ORD,  thou  on  earth  didst  love  thine  own 
Didst  love  them  to  the  end : 
Oh  !  still,  from  thy  celestial  throne, 
Let  gifts  of  love  descend. 


The  love  the  Father  bears  to  thee, 

His  own  eternal  Son, 
Fill  all  thy  saints,  till  all  shall  be 

In  pure  affection  one. 


As  thou  for  us  didst  stoop  so  low, 
Warmed  by  Love's  holy  flame, 

So  let  our  deeds  of  kindness  flow 
To  all  who  bear  thy  name. 


6S  Remember  Me. 


One  blessed  fellowship  in  love, 
Thy  living  Church  should  stand, 

Till,  faultless,  she  at  last  above 
Shall  shine  at  thy  right  hand. 

Oh  glorious  day,  when  she,  the  Bride, 
With  her  dear  Lord  appears  ; 

When,  robed  in  beauty  at  his  side, 
She  shall  forget  her  tears  ! 


VI.     GETHSEMANE. 


SATURDAY    EVENING. 


HEN    our    Lord    had    ended    die 
memorable  conversation     __         . 

He  goeth 

BMHHI   and    prayer    which    fol-  totheGar- 

.....  r     ,  den  of 

lowed  the  institution  of  the  sacra-    ~  .. 

lietnsem- 

ment  of  the  Supper,  he  went  forth,  ^ne.  John 

rS :  r. 

attended  by  his  disciples,  to  Geth- 
semane.  Of  the  twelve,  he  here  selected 
three  —  Peter,  James,  and  John  —  and  took 
them  with  him  to  a  little  distance  Matt.  26 : 
from  the  rest.  Then,  reminding 
these  of  their  need  of  watchfulness  and 
prayer,  he  separated  himself  even  from  them, 


70  Remember  Me. 


and  went  still  farther,  that  he  might  be  alone. 
There  it  was  that  the  most  affecting  scene  in 
all  his  life,  save  only  that  of  Calvary,  oc- 
curred. 

The  hour  had  come  in  which  it  was  per- 

john  22      mitted  to  the   powers  of  darkness 

and  to  his  malicious  enemies  to  do 

He  knows 

their  worst  against  the  holy  Jesus. 
ff  .         He  knew  all  that  was  before  him. 

suffering 

He  had  clear  foresight  not  only  of 
the  outward  and  merely  natural  suffering 
through  which  he  was  immediately  to  pass, 
but  also  of  those  inward  and  supernatural 
distresses  which  were  involved  in  his  work 
of  expiation,  and  which  must  needs  be,  in  a 
great  measure,  incomprehensible  to  us.  His 
humanity  was  not  a  mere  appearance :  it 
was  real  and  complete.  As  a  man,  he  had 
lived  a  life  conformed  entirely  to  the  ordinary 


Gethsemane.  yi 


human  conditions.     He  exhibited  the   com- 
mon sensibilities  of  our  nature.    He     , 
suffered,  being  tempted.     It  is  not 
wonderful,  therefore,  that  in  the  near         m  his 
prospect  of  his  last  great  conflict,  all 
the  details  of  which  he  perfectly  well  knew, 
he  should  have  been  exceedingly  sorrowful, 
even   unto  death.     He  was  as  one    He  1 
on  whom  the  shadow  of  a  vast,  im-     , 

dread  ot 

measurable  trouble  was  beginning  to  Sl111 
fall  darkly.  He  went  forth  to  the  garden  of 
Gethsemane,  as  he  had  so  often  done  before, 
for  solitude  and  prayer.  But  now  the  weight 
of  a  great  agony  seemed  to  accumulate  upon 
him.  It  overwhelmed  him  ;  till,  his  Angels 
human   strength    failing,  it  pressed  ' 

him  sink- 

him  to  the  ground.     Then  he,  the    ing  under 
Lord  of  angels,  the  eternal  Son  of  his  ugon- 
the  Father,  needed  and  received  the  ministry 


72  Remember  Me. 

of  angels.  Ah !  did  not  tears  fall  even  from 
celestial  eyes  at  the  sight  of  his  deep  humili- 
ation and  distress  ? 

Well  may  I  linger  here,  and  weep.    Listen, 
O    my  soul !     Behold  thy  Saviour 

It  is  good 

to  watch     kneeling  alone  beneath  the  ancient 
olive-trees  !      He    offers    up    prayer 

m 

and    supplications,  with    strong   crying   and 
many  tears,  unto  Him  that  is  able 

Heb.  5:7. 

to  save  him  from  death,  and  is  heard 
in  that  he  feared.  Yes,  he  feared! — not 
death  (for  he  was  not  saved  from  that),  but 
lest  his  human  strength  and  courage  should 
prove  unequal  to  his  last  great  conflict.  He 
was  heard  and  answered  in  respect  to  this. 
Now  he  is  comforted  by  the  sympathy  of  the 
angelic  messenger.  Now  the  divine  asserts 
itself  in  his  consciousness  again.  Though 
he  prays  again  and  again  that  the  cup  may 


Gethsemane.  73 


pass  from  him,  if  this  be  possible,  yet  he  is 
enabled  to  say,  as  expressive  of  his  Matt.  2f>-. 
profoundest  wish,  "  Nevertheless,  not  3 
my  will,  but  thine,  be  done ! "  He  will  not 
shrink,  but  will  tread  the  wine-press  alone, 
and  accomplish  all  that  belongs  to  his  work 
as  the  worlds  Redeemer.  What  sublime 
self-sacrifice!  What  an  unfathomable  mys- 
tery of  suffering !     Let  the  si^ht  of 

:  &  &  Tender- 

my  blessed  Lord,  fainting  and  sink-    ness  and 

m&  to  the  earth  with  anguish,  and, 
&  &         >         »  view  ot  the 

as  it  were,  buried  beneath  huge  bil-    Saviour's 
lows  of  distress  —  all  willingly  en- 
dured for  a  guilty  world,  endured  for  me  a 
sinner  —  penetrate  my  aoul  with  deepest  ten- 
derness and  grief! 

Most  heartily  would  I  lament,  dear  Lord, 
my  many  offenses  for  which  it  was  needful 
that  thou  shouldst  suffer.     Most  tenderly  do 


74  Remember  Me. 


I   recall  thy  tears  and  sorrows,  that,  fixing 
my  thoughts  on  these,  I  may  gain  a 

Contrition         J  &  '  J    & 

just  impression  of  the  vastness  of 
the  debt  of  gratitude  and  love  I  owe. 
The  world,  while  I  come  in  contact  with  its 
trifles,  and  feel  its  earthly  influences  around 
me,  would  steal  away  the  fervor  of  my  af- 
fections.    It  would  impair  the  en- 

Spirit   of 

the  world  ergy  of  my  faith  and  hope,  repress 
my  heavenward  aspirations,  and 
make  me  forgetful  of  the  truth  which  I 
should  ever  keep  in  mind,  that  I  am  not  my 
own,  but  thine.  Often,  I  fear,  it  has  beguiled 
me  into  listlessness  and  languor  in  respect  to 
the  holy  duties  of  my  great  high  calling ;  and 
imperceptibly,  while  I  thought  not  of  any 
danger,  has  chilled  my  Christian  zeal,  and 
made  me  too  unmindful  of  thee,  my  faithful 
Redeemer,  —  too  little  anxious  to  maintain 


Gethsemane.  75 


the  glow  and  the  consistency  of  a  true  devo- 
tion to  thy  service.  But,  in  meditation  on 
the  scene  through  which  thou  didst  pass  in 
sorrowful  Gethsemane,  I  would  disarm  it  of 
its  power,  and  renew  the  holy  ardor  of  my 
soul.  It  is  so  that  I  would  prepare  my  heart 
for  a  right  participation  in  the  sacramental 
feast.  I  shall  think  tearfully  of  the  Garden 
while  I  remember  thee. 


76  Remember  Me. 


GETHSEMANE. 

PREAD    thick   above,   ye    clouds,   your 

dusky  vail ; 
Hide  from  yon  stars  the  Saviour's  bitter 
woe  : 
q    Breathe,  ye  night  winds,  in  murmurs  sad  and 

low; 
Or  lift,  in  fitful  gusts,  your  mournful  wail : 
Listen,  thou  Olivet !  and,  Kedron's  vale, 
Catch  the  sad  accents  that  are  borne  to  thee 
From  yonder  shade  —  thine  own  Gethsemane  — 
As  when  one  pleadeth  and  doth  not  prevail. 
See  !  to  the  earth  the  holy  Sufferer  sinks  ; 
Weighs  on  his  heart  an  anguish  all  unknown  ; 
Bursts  from  his  lips  the  thrice-repeated  prayer, 
Yet  firm  his  will  the  utmost  pang  to  bear ; 
Till  for  him,  fainting  while  the  cup  he  drinks, 
Angels  bring  succors  from  the  eternal  throne ! 


"In  the  Garden  with  Him."  77 


"IN   THE   GARDEN   WITH    HIM. 


HERE  climbs  thy  steep,  fair  Olivet, 
There  is  a  spot  most  dear  to  me  ; 

The  spot  with  tears  of  sorrow  wet, 
When  Jesus  knelt  in  agony. 


I  love  in  thought  to  linger  there, 
To  tread  the  hallowed  ground  alone, 

Where,  on  the  silent,  midnight  air, 

Rose  heavenward,  Lord,  thy  plaintive  moan. 

I  fondly  seek  the  olive  shade 

That  vailed  thee  when  thy  soul  was  wrung ; 
When  angels  came  to  bring  thee  aid, 

That  oft  to  thee  their  harps  had  strung. 

There,  on  the  sacred  turf,  I  kneel, 

And  breathe  my  heart's  deep  love  to  thee, 

While  tender  memories  o'er  me  steal 
Of  all  thou  didst  endure  for  me. 


78  Remember  Me. 


Oh,  mystery  of  anguish  !  when 
The  Sinless  felt  sin's  heavy  woe ! 

Hell  madly  dreamed  of  triumph  then, 
While  thy  dear  head  was  bending  low. 

Vain  dream  !     No  grief  shall  evermore 
Stain,  as  with  bloody  sweat,  thy  brow 

Robed  in  all  glory  —  thine  before  — 
The  seraphim  surround  thee  now. 

Yet,  Lord,  from  off  the  burning  throne, 
Above  yon  stars  that  softly  gleam, 

Thou  com'st  to  meet  me  here  alone, 
By  Kedron's  old,  familiar  stream. 


VII.     CALVARY. 


SABBATH    MORNING. 


^HERE  they  crucified  him!  Yes, 
there  at  Jerusalem,  the  Luke  23: 
Holy    City,    the  .  seat   of        ' 

J  J1  His,  own 

the   national  religion,  they  who,  as    nation  re- 
the  chosen  seed,  and  heirs  of  the 

'  crucify  the 

promises,  should  have  been  the  first     M 

to  welcome  the  Son  and  Lord  of  David,  de- 


livered Him  who  was  the  anointed    Mark  14: 
Kins:  of  Israel,  the  Messiah  of  the    >T 

£>  '  Matt.  27 : 

ages,  to  a  shameful  and  cruel  death ! 
Amazing  spiritual  blindness,  and  desperate 
persistency  in  sin !     Yet  so   the  Scriptures 


80  Remember  Me. 

Luke  24 :  were   fulfilled,  and  a  ruined  world 
25-27-     redeemed. 

Christ,  our  Passover,  was  sacrificed  for  us. 
He  gave  himself  for  the  life  of  the 

John  6 :  51. 

world.     He  once  for  all  put  away 

Heb.  9 :  26. 

sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself.     Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world !    By  his  own  blood 
he  entered  once  into  the  holy  place, 

Heb.  9:  12. 

having  obtained  eternal  redemption 
Matt  26:    f°r  us-     His  blood  is  shed  for  many 

for  the  remission  of  sins.  He  is 
wounded  for  our  transgressions ;  he  is  bruised 
Isaiah  53:    for  our  iniquities.     The  Lord  hath 

laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all ; 

and  he  bears  our  sins  in  his  own 

I  Peter  2  : 

body  on  the  tree.  This  is  indeed 
Rev.  13 : 8.  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world  in  the  counsels  of  Eternal  Love, 


Calvary.  8i 


and  in  the  typical  offering  of  slain  victims 
unto  God.    He  is  lifted  up  upon  the   .  . 

r      r  John  3  :  14, 

cross,  like  the  brazen  serpent  in  the 
wilderness,  that  the  dying  may  look  to  him 
and  live. 

"  See  from  his  head,  his  hands,  his  feet, 
Sorrow  and  love  flow  mingled  down  ■ 
Did  e'er  such  love  and  sorrow  meet, 
Or  thorns  compose  so  rich  a  crown  ? " 

For  weary  hours  he  hangs  a  bleeding  vic- 
tim, as  if  to  fix  the  attention  of  the  universe 
on  the  great  atoning  act  which  he  performs. 
He  dispenses   mercy,  even    in  the 
midst  of  his  own  sufferings,  to  one 
penitent  and  believing  sinner.     In 
the  dreadful  anguish  —  to  us  incom- 
prehensible—  of  one  forsaken,  he  cries  out 


82  Remember  Me. 


once  and  again ;  and  at  last  bows  his 
head,  saying,  "It  is  finished!  "  and 
expires. 

O  Jesus !  I  sit  down  as  if  over  against  thy 
cross.  I  deliberately  call  to  mind  all 
that  thou  didst  endure,  and   I   see 

against  the 

that  in  that  great  sacrifice  of  thine 

3  «■   thou  hast  indeed  opened  a  fountain 

for  sin  and  for  all  uncleanness.     Ah,  now  I 

perceive  how  deep  the  stain,  how 

Sin  seen  in 

the  light  of  vast  the  ill-desert,  of  sin !  Without 
the    shedding    of    blood  —  of    thy 

blood,  O  Most  Holy!  — there  could  be  no 
remission.  But  thy  blood  cleans- 
eth  from  all  sin.     As  I  behold  thee 

lifted  up  upon  the  cross,  thy  body  broken, 

the  crimson  streams  issuing  from  thy  wounds; 
as  I  listen  to  the  cry  wrung  from  thee 
in  thine  agony  of  spirit  —  the  mys- 


Calvary.  83 


terv  of  which  agony  I  can  not  comprehend, 
since  it  involved  the  hiding  of  thy  1 
Father's  face  —  I  feel  alike  the  infi- 
nite love  and  absolute  justice  of  God,  the 
and  the  profoundest  conviction  that  °Ror 
he  can  and  will  forgive  and  justify 
every  sinner  that  believeth.     Now  I   under- 
stand, O  Jesus!  thy  touching  words:     1 
"  This  is  my  body,  which  is  given 
for  you ;   my  blood,  which  is  shed  for  you." 
My   dearest    Lord !    on    this    thy 

lies  on  the 

most  precous  and  all-availing  sacri- 
fice I  rely  in  humble  faith.    On  this 
sure  foundation,  laid  by  thee,  I  build  my  im- 
mortal hopes.     All  unworthy  in  myself,  for 
thy  sake    I    am   forgiven,  justified, 
have  peace  with  God,  and  am  re- 
ceived of  him  as  a  child.     And  what  shall 
I  say  ?     How  shall  I  pay  the  mighty  debt  I 


84  Remember  Me. 


owe  ?  I  thank  thee  ;  I  praise  thee.  I  would 
laud  and  magnify  thy  name  for  ever.  Afresh, 
and  most  deliberately  and  heartily,  I  give 
myself,  with  all  that  I  am  and  have,  to  thee. 
Divine  life  Let  me  abide  ever  in  vital  union 
with  thee,  and  live  in  thy  life.     Let 

and  full  J 

salvation,  love  to  thee  be  the  ruling  passion 
of  my  heart,  the  determining  impulse  of  all 
the  actions  of  my  life.  While  I  live,  I  would 
be  wholly  thine.  When  I  come  at  last  to 
die,  may  the  assurance  that  thou  art  mine  — 
my  sufficient  and  ever-living  Redeemer  — 
dispel  all  darkness,  and  give  me  complete 
serenity  and  peace !  Then,  to  the  glory  of 
thy  grace,  permit  me  to  behold  thy  face  in 
righteousness. 

All  these  rich  blessings,  the  purchase  of 
thy  death  upon  the  cross,  wilt  thou  seal  to 
me,  a  humble  believer,  while   I  shall  com- 


Calvary.  85 


mune  with  thee  at  thy  table  in  the  remem- 
brance of  thy  death.      Let   me  so    A11  ,r, 
feed  upon  thy  body  and  blood,  that 

ed  to 

I  may  have  the  delightful  conscious-        beiiev- 
ness   of  eternal   life    begun    within 

table. 

my  soul.     Oh,  blessed,  blessed  day, 
when   that  life  shall  be  made  perfect,  and, 
with  all  the  redeemed  before  the  throne,  I 
shall  unite  in  saying  — 

Worthy  is  the   Lamb  that  was   slain, 
and    has    redeemed    us    to    god    by    his 

BLOOD  ! 


>J4 


* 


86  Remember  Me. 


THE    SACRIFICE. 


2 


ONDER  of  wonders  !   on  the  cross   he 

dies  ! 
Man  of  the  ages  —  David's  mighty  Son  — 
The  eternal  Word,  who  spake  and  it  was 
done, 

What  time,  of  old,  he  formed  the  earth  and  skies. 
Abashed  be  all  the  wisdom  of  the  wise  ! 
Let  the  wide  earth  through  all  her  kingdoms  know 
The  promised  Lamb  of  God,  whose  blood  should 

flow, 
For  human  guilt  the  grand,  sole  sacrifice. 
No  more  need  altar  smoke,  nor  victim  bleed : 
'Tis  finished  !  —  the  great  mystery  of  love. 
Ye  sin-condemned,  by  this  blood  'tis  decreed 
Ye  stand  absolved  ;  behold  the  curse  remove  ! 
O  Christ !  thy  deadly  wounds,  thy  mortal  strife, 
Crush  death  and  hell,  and  give  immortal  life ! 


Via  Dolorosa.  Sy 


VIA   DOLOROSA. 

SEE  my  Lord,  the  pure,  the  meek,  the  lowly, 
Along  the  mournful  way  in  sadness  tread  ! 

The  thorns  are  on  his  brow ;  and  he,  the  Holy, 
Bearing  his  cross,  to  Calvary  is  led. 

Silent  he  moveth  on,  all  uncomplaining, 

Though  wearily  his  grief  and  burden  press  ; 

And  foes,  nor  shame  nor  pity  now  restraining, 
With  scoff  and  jeering,  mock  his  deep  distress. 

'Tis  hell's  dark  hour  ;  yet  calm,  himself  resigning, 
Even  as  a  lamb  that  goeth  to  be  slain, 

The  wine-press  lone  he  treadeth,  unrepining, 
And  falling  blood-drops  all  his  raiment  stain. 

In  mortal  weakness  'neath  his  burden  sinking, 
The  Son  of  God  accepts  a  mortal's  aid ! 

Then  passes  on  to  Golgotha,  unshrinking, 
Where  love's  divinest  sacrifice  is  made. 


88  Remember  Me. 


Dear  Lord  !  what  though  my  path  be  set  with 
sorrow, 
And  oft  beneath  some  heavy  cross  I  groan  ? 
My  soul,  weighed  down,  shall  strength  and  cour- 
age borrow 
At  thought  of  harder  griefs  which  thou  hast 
known. 

And  I  in  tears  will  yet  look  up  with  gladness, 
And  hope  when  troubles  most  my  hope  would 
drown  : 
The  mournful  way  which  thou  didst  pass  in  sad- 
ness 
Was  but  the  way  to  glory  and  thy  crown  ! 


:Y'^ 


c£/\^ 


At  the  Table.  89 


AT    THE    TABLE. 


the  thought  that  Jesus,  unseen,  is 
with  you,  completely  pos-  Jesuspre8. 
sess  your  mind  when  seated 

unseen. 

at  the  table.  Be  collected, 
reverent,  and  tender  in  spirit.  Let  not  a  sense 
of  your  unworthiness  make  you  afraid,  but  re 
member  that  this  is  a  feast  of  love,  instituted 
expressly  for  penitent  sinners.  Reflect  that 
the  mere  outward  receiving  of  the  bread  and 
of  the  wine  can  of  itself  convey  to  you  no 
blessing.  It  is  only  as  it  assists  your  The  brea<j 
faith  to  apprehend  the   Saviour  in 

>inted 

the  great  act  of  making  his  atoning 
sacrifice ;  it  is  only  as  you  inwardly 
receive  him  as,  through  his  death,  your  all- 


90  Remember  Me. 


sufficient  Redeemer,  and  feed  on  him  as  the 
Bread  of  Life  —  that  the  elements  presented 
in  the  Supper  fulfill  to  you  their  end.  While, 
therefore,  the  ordinance  proceeds,  let  your 
mind  and  heart  be  occupied  with  such  exer- 
cises as  the  following :  — 

I. 

Lord  Jesus !   thou  art  here  to  meet  and 
Recogni-   biess  me  at  fay  table.     I  am  thine. 

tion  of 

I  trust  thee,  love  thee,  adore  thee. 

Reveal  thyself  more  fully  to  my  soul. 
Impart  unto  me  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  by  his 
aid  my  spirit  may  be  quickened,  warmed,  and 
purified,  and  brought  into  a  holy  sympathy 
with  thee. 

II. 

"  This  is  my  body!"    Yes,  dearest  Lord!  I 
see  in  the  broken  bread  a  lively  emblem  of 


At  the  Table.  91 

that  body  broken  for  sin  —  pierced,  bleeding, 
dvinor,  on  the  bitter  cross.    I  behold 

J       &  th  in 

the  Lamb  of  God  slain  —  the  one 
sufficient  sacrifice  for  sin.  I  hate 
my  own  sins,  that  helped  to  plat  that  crown 
of  thorns,  and  to  drive  those  cruel  nails. 
"Broken  for  you!"  O  Jesus!  it  was  indeed 
for  me.  By  thy  cross,  even  I  may  become  — 
have  become,  I  humbly  hope  —  a  child  of  the 
living  God. 

III. 

As  I  take  this  symbol,  O  thou  Bread  of 
Life!    I   would   spiritually   feed   on    Chris 
thee.     I   open  my  heart  to  receive 
thee  ;   I  give  myself  to  thee  anew ;  I 
seal  my  covenant-vows   anew ;    I   take  thee 
anew  to  be  my  Saviour  and  my  Lord.     In 
this  act  of  eating  the  sacramental  bread,  I 


92  Remember  Me. 

feel  my  soul  united  to  thee,  and  receive  of 
thy  life  and  strength.  Lovingly  and  trust- 
The  unity  ingly,  O  my  Beloved !  I  look  up  into 
thy  blessed  face,  and  thy  smile  falls 
like  sunshine  on  my  heart.  May  I  abide 
ever  in  thy  love ! 

IV. 

And  now,  with  a  heart  melting  into  thank- 
ful tenderness,  let   me  receive  the 
gratefully    CUpt     «  This  is  my  blood ! "     Yes, 

received.  . 

O  my  soul !  this  only  can  wash  away 
thy  sins,  and  make  thee  pure  in  the  sight  of 
the  All-holy.     This  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

Apply  to  me  afresh,  thou  who  art  at 
faith  in  the  0nce  the  Sacrifice  of  atonement  and 

atonement.  . 

the  great  High  Priest,  thy  most 
precious  blood.  As  I  taste  the  wine  in  affec- 
tionate remembrance  of  thy  bloody  death,  I 


At  the  Table.  93 

lay  myself  again  as  if  beneath  thy  cross,  and 
entreat  thee  to  grant  me  the  assurance  of 
peace  with  God. 

V. 

In  this  receiving  of  the  bread  and  wine,  I 
would  not  forget,  dear  Lord,  that  I 

&     '  •  The  corn- 

have  fellowship  not  only  with  thee,    munion  of 

but   with    my   fellow-disciples.      In 
them  thou  wilt  have  me  recognize  my  breth- 
ren, and  love  even  the  humblest  and  the  most 
imperfect  of  them  for  thy  sake.     I  feel  my 
heart  warm  towards  them,  as  mem-      Love  to 
bers  with  thee  of  thy  body.     Help 

J  J  A       lianhouse- 

me  to   be  tender  in  spirit,  patient, 
helpful,  and  forgiving,  in  all  my  intercourse 
with  such  as  bear  thy  name.     Make  me  more 
watchful  to  fulfill  the  new  commandment. 


94  Remember  Me. 


VI. 

Though   I   must  now  leave  thy  table,  O 
Jesus !  let  me  not,  Lord,  leave  thy 

perpetual 

presence  presence.  Make  thine  abode  in  my 
unworthy  heart.  In  the  dark  hours 
of  temptation  and  trouble,  in  the  moments 
when  sadness  and  despondency  oppress  me, 
and  especially  when  the  hour  of  death  ap- 
proaches, may  I  hear  thy  comforting  voice, 
and  know  that  thou  rememberest  me  as  I 
have  endeavored  to  remember  thee  this  day ! 


It  is  by  such  meditations   and   petitions 
that  the  devout  disciple  will  enter 

Remarks. 

into  the  spirit  of  the  Holy  Supper, 
and  make  his  own  the  benefits  it  was  in- 
tended to  convey.  These  are,  of  course, 
given  merely  as  examples,  illustrative  of  the 


At  the  Table.  95 


real  nature  of  the  ordinance.  They  are  de- 
signed to  express  the  substance  of  the  exer- 
cises— more  or  less  extended  and  diversified, 
as  the  case  may  be — with  which  each  one  at 
the  table  should  occupy  his  mind  and  heart. 


96  Remember  Me. 


AFTER  THE   SACRAMENT. 

SABBATH    EVENING. 

~^WT  is  the  close  of  the  Sabbath;  and  it 
has  indeed  been  a  sabbath  to  my  soul. 
I  have  been  permitted  to  sit  with 
Christ  and  with  his  friends,  as  in  heavenly 
places ;  and  the  affecting  fact  that  I  am 
not  my  own,  but  have  been  bought  with  a 
price,  has  once  more  been  distinctly  placed 
before  me.  Have  I  not  met  my  Lord  in- 
deed ?  Has  he  not  smiled  upon  my  soul, 
and  whispered  in  its  deep  recesses  the  assur- 
ance that  I  am  his?  Has  he  not  breathed 
upon  me,  and  said,  "  Receive  thou  the  Holy 
Ghost"?  It  must  be  so,  if  I  have  rightly 
partaken  of  the  feast. 


After  the  Sacrament.  97 

What  then  ?  Henceforth  it  must  be  my 
care  to  live,  not  unto  myself,  but  unto  Him 
who  died  for  me,  and  rose  again.  This  I  re- 
solve to-night,  that  by  his  grace  it  shall  be. 
Yes,  O  my  loving  Redeemer !  who  now  ever 
livest  Head  over  all  things  for  thy  Church,  I 
am  earnestly  determined  that  in  thy  strength 
I  will  every  day  be  an  example  unto  the  be- 
lievers, and  a  light  in  this  dark  world.  To- 
night, therefore,  I  beseech  thee,  help  me  to 
gird  up  my  loins  anew,  and  to  set  forward 
with  redoubled  zeal  and  diligence  in  the  way 
of  Christian  duty.  Assist  me,  with  watchful- 
ness and  prayer,  with  Christian  prudence  and 
self-denial,  to  keep  myself  unspotted  from 
the  world.  Let  me  find  it  in  my  heart  to 
visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  afflic- 
tion, and  to  go  about  doing  good,  after  the 
example    of  my  Lord.     Especially  aid  me, 


98  Remember  Me. 


O  my  Saviour!  to  overcome  temptation,  to 
amend  my  faults  of  character,  and  to  triumph 
entirely  over  the  sins  that  most  easily  beset 
me.  Give  me  the  calmness  of  self-control, 
patience  under  trials,  and  submission  to  all 
thy  will.  Make  me,  finally,  strong  in  the 
Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his  might,  firm 
and  steadfast  in  Christian  principle,  and  ever 
faithful  to  truth  and  to  thy  cause,  till  my 
work  of  life  is  done. 

Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do? 
Make  me  to  run  in  the  way  of  thy  command- 
ments. Let  me  be  able  to  say  at  last,  in 
thine  own  emphatic  words,  "  I  have  glori- 
fied THEE  ON  THE  EARTH  ;  I  HAVE  FINISHED 
THE    WORK    WHICH    THOU    GAVEST    ME    TO    DO." 

All  this  I  ask  through  thy  dear  cross  and 
passion.     Amen. 


Delight  in  Christ.  99 


DELIGHT   IN   CHRIST. 

ESUS,  thou  Joy  of  loving  hearts, 

Thou  Fount  of  life,  thou  Light  of  men, 

From  the  best  bliss  that  earth  imparts 
We  turn  unfilled  to  thee  again. 


Thy  truth  unchanged  hath  ever  stood  ; 

Thou  savest  those  that  on  thee  call : 
To  them  that  seek  thee  thou  art  good  ; 

To  them  that  find  thee,  all  in  all ! 


We  taste  thee,  O  thou  living  Bread, 
And  long  to  feed  upon  thee  still ; 

We  drink  of  thee,  the  Fountain-head, 
And  thirst  our  souls  from  thee  to  fill. 


ioo  Remember  Me. 


Our  restless  spirits  yearn  for  thee 
Where'er  our  changeful  lot  is  cast ; 

Glad  when  thy  gracious  smile  we  see, 
Blest  when  our  faith  can  hold  thee  fast. 

O  Jesus  !  ever  with  us  stay ; 

Make  all  our  moments  calm  and  bright ; 
Chase  the  dark  night  of  sin  away ; 

Shed  o'er  the  world  thy  holy  light. 

Translated  from  Bernard. 


Faith.  ioi 


FAITH. 


|Y  Faith  looks  up  to  thee, 
Thou  Lamb  of  Calvary, 

Saviour  divine ! 
Now  hear  me  while  I  pray 
Take  all  my  guilt  away  ; 
O  let  me,  from  this  day, 
Be  wholly  thine. 

May  thy  rich  grace  impart 
Strength  to  my  fainting  heart, 

My  zeal  inspire ! 
As  thou  hast  died  for  me, 
O  may  my  love  to  thee 
Pure,  warm,  and  changeless  be  — 

A  living  fire  ! 

While  life's  dark  maze  I  tread, 
And  griefs  around  me  spread, 
Be  thou  my  guide  ; 


102  Remember  Me. 


Bid  darkness  turn  to  day, 
Wipe  sorrow's  tears  away, 
Nor  let  me  ever  stray 
From  thee  aside. 

When  ends  life's  transient  dream, 
When  death's  cold,  sullen  stream 

Shall  o'er  me  roll  — 
Blest  Saviour  !  then,  in  love, 
Fear  and  distrust  remove  ; 
O  bear  me  safe  above  — 

A  ransomed  soul ! 


t 


A  ^ 


T-7   «:     *- 


